In Belgrade, a demo day was held where eight startup companies presented their business ideas to over 100 investors, including directors of local corporations and scientific institutes. The event was organized by the startup accelerator See Up in partnership with the corporate fund Telekom Srbija – TS Ventures, which has financed about 20 startups in the last four years. Investors focus on startups with global potential rather than local solutions. Serbia’s startup ecosystem is growing, valued at around 1.1 billion dollars with an annual growth rate of 20-30%. The demo day provides startups the opportunity to showcase their results and secure investments, with foreign startups from Denmark and Italy also present. The TS Ventures fund has a budget of 25 million euros for a five-year investment cycle, aiming to support technological development and create globally successful companies.
Political Perspectives:
Left: Left-leaning reports emphasize the growth of the startup ecosystem as a positive development for innovation and economic diversification in Serbia. They highlight the role of public-private partnerships and the importance of supporting young entrepreneurs to foster inclusive economic growth. The focus is on the potential for startups to create jobs and contribute to a more equitable economy.
Center: Center-leaning coverage presents the event as a significant milestone for Serbia’s economic development and integration into the global tech market. It stresses the importance of attracting investment and the role of corporate funds like TS Ventures in supporting startups. The narrative is balanced, acknowledging challenges but optimistic about the ecosystem’s growth and potential.
Right: Right-leaning narratives focus on the entrepreneurial spirit and the importance of market-driven innovation. They emphasize the need for startups to demonstrate global competitiveness and practical business models. The role of private investment and the success of the TS Ventures fund are highlighted as examples of effective capitalism and economic liberalization.
